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Is Nintendo’s 2DS a sign of the times?

By Roberto Jackson

As Nintendo prepares to release its newest console, the Nintendo 2DS, many are wondering if the company that gave us the Mario Bros franchise among many other enduring hits is admitting something the entire 3D industry is admitting to – defeat.

The follow up console to 2011s Nintendo 3DS, the new console as the name suggests is without any 3D functionality and with valid reasons. The 3DS came with a warning prohibiting its use to anyone under the age of 7, something Nintendo has long not liked due to its well-known family image. Of all the gaming companies out there, Nintendo has always prided itself on a number of things – they’ve always been at the forefront of gaming technology – their hand held units of the 1980s along with the first cartridge operated mobile device, the Gameboy, lead the way in the proliferation of many of the mobile gaming units seen today.

Corporate giants like Sony and Nokia have Nintendo to thank for laying the ground work for the mobile gaming technology they themselves make use of today be it for actual games or for the capacity that smartphones now possess to do things like find the best mobile slots at MobileSlots.net.

But recently the Japanese gaming giant has endured hard times profit-wise. Its 3D console did not achieve the kind of sales the company hoped for. Many claim that this is due to the age restriction slapped on the machine due to its screening apparatus. Others claim that competitors like Sony and Microsoft are in the process of bringing out the PS 4 and the Xbox 1 – machines with better gaming specs than the Wii U and the 3DS. Analysts say that Nintendo’s pending release in October of the 2DS is being done so that the company can make better profits come Christmas thanks to offering a cheaper console.

The most dramatic observation made due to Nintendo’s latest product release covers the whole spectrum of the 3D industry – and this is that public interest in 3D is waning. The facts speak for themselves. Although 3D TV sales in 2012 were high, they have dropped tremendously in 2013. Coupled with this is the announcement by the BBC that they are putting their 3D programming on hold, not to mention ESPN’s commitment to shut down its 3D programming by the end of the year. Added to all this is the fact that many gaming developers for Playstation and Xbox simply are not interested in supporting 3D technology. Facts cited are public interest and gamer apathy.

2013’s Christmas season will ultimately spell the fate of the Nintendo’s latest mobile gaming console endeavor.

About the author

Roberto Jackson has been a big fan of games for as long has can remember, particularly Nintendo. Now he writes for a number of blogs and publications about the latest trends in gaming and new game releases to share his passion.